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. 2024 Feb;66(2):342-350.
doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.08.009. Epub 2023 Aug 10.

Systematic Review of Per Person Violence Costs

Cora Peterson  1 , Maria V Aslam  2 , Ketra L Rice  2 , Nupur Gupta  2 , Megan C Kearns  2
Affiliations

Systematic Review of Per Person Violence Costs

Cora Peterson et al. Am J Prev Med. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Data on the long-term and comprehensive cost of violence are essential for informed decision making regarding the future benefits of resources directed toward violence prevention. This review aimed to summarize original per-person estimates of the attributable cost of interpersonal violence to support public health economic research and decision making.

Methods: In 2023, English-language peer-reviewed journal articles published in 2000-2022 with a focus on high-income countries reporting original per-person average cost of violence estimates were identified using index terms in multiple databases. Study contents, including violence type (e.g., adverse childhood experiences), timeline and payer cost perspective (e.g., hospitalization event-only healthcare payer cost), and associated per-person cost estimates, were summarized. Costs were in 2022 U.S. dollars.

Results: Per-person cost estimates related to adverse childhood experiences, community violence, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, homicide, firearm violence, youth violence, workplace violence, and bullying from 73 studies (majority focusing on the U.S.) were summarized. For example, among 23 studies with a focus on adverse childhood experiences, monetary estimates ranged from $390 for adverse childhood experience-related annual healthcare out-of-pocket costs per U.S. adult with ≥3 adverse childhood experiences to $20.2 million for the lifetime societal economic burden of a U.S. child maltreatment fatality.

Conclusions: This review provides a descriptive summary of available per-person cost of violence estimates. Results can help public health professionals to describe the economic burden of violence, identify the best available estimate for a particular public health question, and address data gaps. Ultimately, understanding the long-term and comprehensive cost of violence is necessary to anticipate the economic benefits of prevention.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA flowchart.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Per-person violence cost estimates. (A) Adverse childhood experiences. (B) Community violence. (C) Sexual violence. (D) Homicide. (E) Intimate partner violence. (F) Bullying, firearm violence, workplace violence, and youth violence. Cost estimates are in 2022 USD and refer to nonfatal violence unless otherwise specified. See Appendix Table [A]2 (available online) for all summarized study elements (e.g., future cost discount rate) and identification of when reported study cost data were combined for presentation (such as a weighted average of estimated costs separately presented for males and females). ACE, adverse childhood experience; AHT, abusive head trauma; CM, child maltreatment; CSA, child sexual abuse; ED, emergency department; GSW, gunshot wound; IPV, intimate partner violence; OOP, out of pocket; QoL, quality of life; T&R, treated and released; USD, U.S. dollar.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Per-person violence cost estimates. (A) Adverse childhood experiences. (B) Community violence. (C) Sexual violence. (D) Homicide. (E) Intimate partner violence. (F) Bullying, firearm violence, workplace violence, and youth violence. Cost estimates are in 2022 USD and refer to nonfatal violence unless otherwise specified. See Appendix Table [A]2 (available online) for all summarized study elements (e.g., future cost discount rate) and identification of when reported study cost data were combined for presentation (such as a weighted average of estimated costs separately presented for males and females). ACE, adverse childhood experience; AHT, abusive head trauma; CM, child maltreatment; CSA, child sexual abuse; ED, emergency department; GSW, gunshot wound; IPV, intimate partner violence; OOP, out of pocket; QoL, quality of life; T&R, treated and released; USD, U.S. dollar.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Per-person violence cost estimates. (A) Adverse childhood experiences. (B) Community violence. (C) Sexual violence. (D) Homicide. (E) Intimate partner violence. (F) Bullying, firearm violence, workplace violence, and youth violence. Cost estimates are in 2022 USD and refer to nonfatal violence unless otherwise specified. See Appendix Table [A]2 (available online) for all summarized study elements (e.g., future cost discount rate) and identification of when reported study cost data were combined for presentation (such as a weighted average of estimated costs separately presented for males and females). ACE, adverse childhood experience; AHT, abusive head trauma; CM, child maltreatment; CSA, child sexual abuse; ED, emergency department; GSW, gunshot wound; IPV, intimate partner violence; OOP, out of pocket; QoL, quality of life; T&R, treated and released; USD, U.S. dollar.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Per-person violence cost estimates. (A) Adverse childhood experiences. (B) Community violence. (C) Sexual violence. (D) Homicide. (E) Intimate partner violence. (F) Bullying, firearm violence, workplace violence, and youth violence. Cost estimates are in 2022 USD and refer to nonfatal violence unless otherwise specified. See Appendix Table [A]2 (available online) for all summarized study elements (e.g., future cost discount rate) and identification of when reported study cost data were combined for presentation (such as a weighted average of estimated costs separately presented for males and females). ACE, adverse childhood experience; AHT, abusive head trauma; CM, child maltreatment; CSA, child sexual abuse; ED, emergency department; GSW, gunshot wound; IPV, intimate partner violence; OOP, out of pocket; QoL, quality of life; T&R, treated and released; USD, U.S. dollar.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Per-person violence cost estimates. (A) Adverse childhood experiences. (B) Community violence. (C) Sexual violence. (D) Homicide. (E) Intimate partner violence. (F) Bullying, firearm violence, workplace violence, and youth violence. Cost estimates are in 2022 USD and refer to nonfatal violence unless otherwise specified. See Appendix Table [A]2 (available online) for all summarized study elements (e.g., future cost discount rate) and identification of when reported study cost data were combined for presentation (such as a weighted average of estimated costs separately presented for males and females). ACE, adverse childhood experience; AHT, abusive head trauma; CM, child maltreatment; CSA, child sexual abuse; ED, emergency department; GSW, gunshot wound; IPV, intimate partner violence; OOP, out of pocket; QoL, quality of life; T&R, treated and released; USD, U.S. dollar.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Per-person violence cost estimates. (A) Adverse childhood experiences. (B) Community violence. (C) Sexual violence. (D) Homicide. (E) Intimate partner violence. (F) Bullying, firearm violence, workplace violence, and youth violence. Cost estimates are in 2022 USD and refer to nonfatal violence unless otherwise specified. See Appendix Table [A]2 (available online) for all summarized study elements (e.g., future cost discount rate) and identification of when reported study cost data were combined for presentation (such as a weighted average of estimated costs separately presented for males and females). ACE, adverse childhood experience; AHT, abusive head trauma; CM, child maltreatment; CSA, child sexual abuse; ED, emergency department; GSW, gunshot wound; IPV, intimate partner violence; OOP, out of pocket; QoL, quality of life; T&R, treated and released; USD, U.S. dollar.
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References

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